"COLTS," "BOMBERS" OUT IN BALTIMORE; "AMERICANS" PROSPERING?

Regardless of the results of an meeting today between
Baltimore NFL and NFLP officials to review polling and focus
group research on possible names, "Colts and Bombers are likely
to be ruled out," according to the Baltimore SUN. Vito Stellino
reports Colts VP & GM Jimmy Irsay "simply has put too high a
price" on the Colts name ($25-50M), while "Bombers" presents too
many negative connotations. "Steamers" was also ruled out after
it did not test well. Names still on the list: Marauders,
Mustangs, Ravens, Railers and Americans. Team officials favor
the Americans, but they are "waiting to see how it does in the
poll." Meanwhile, team officials are "likely" to hire Max
Muhleman to conduct their PSL campaign. Muhleman, who headed PSL
drives in Charlotte, St. Louis and Nashville, will meet with
Baltimore execs today (Baltimore SUN, 3/14).